Looking back on first day photos.

1st grade(2008)



Senior Kindergarten (2007)


Junior Kindergarten (2006)



I didn't realize it was our tradition to take a picture in front of the big tree until Ryan mentioned it on the first day of school this year. Looking back, I think Aidan looks pretty much the same. Taller, of course. And a couple less teeth this year!

A day of endings...

So far today I've...
Walked Aidan to his last day of Summer playground.
Went to Olivia's dance recital on the last day of class.


And in the midst of the fun stuff I've also...

Showered.
Done 4 loads of laundry.
Swept the basement steps.
Swept up all the dead ants from the kitchen floor (seriously, it's been an infestation since yesterday...really, I don't know why they've decided to come indoors now)
Helped Aidan build a new lego truck.
Made PB & J for lunch.
Had 2 giant cups of coffee.
Managed to get Olivia to take a nap.
Uploaded pics from the recital to post on the blog.
Checked e-mail. (And I also promised a quick trip to the library...I must be crazy!)

Pretty soon I'll have to start getting myself and the kiddos ready to head up by Ryan's work, so that I can go to work tonight. Boo! to having to work tonight, but Yay! for getting so much accomplished today. And just in case you want the quick highlights of the dance recital, here you go:

Summer update...

Okay, this first picture is for all the grandma's that will be reading this!!!!
Yes, Ryan is responsible for Aidan's new summer haircut--so what do you think?
Although it probably won't last very long it's kinda fun for right now. It definately will be gone by the time school pictures roll around in September!



I can't believe how the summer just keeps screeching forward. One day before August. The last month of vacation. Aidan's summer playground will be finished next week... and then I'm afraid the days may begin to start dragging.
It's finally getting HOT around here...The dog-days of summer as it may be. I'm definately not a big fan of the hot weather, but I guess that's what summer is all about. I gave in and turned on the air conditioning this morning, the humidity was killing me! The hot weather gives us an excuse to hang out inside for a while today...then maybe the movies tomorrow...or maybe the pool!


A couple weekends ago we were at my brother & sister in-laws for a picnic and fireworks and my brother was so kind to take me for a ride on his new motorcycle, (and I arrived back in one piece too!) Aidan also got to try out my nephew's mini-motorcycle with training wheels! Who knew you could do that?

Happy 4th!

Auntie Amy came bright and early this morning to wake up the kids and then head off to the parade. Luckily we live just 3 blocks away from the parade route, so we walk down and visit with the rest of the neighbors.
Off to a little party (hopefully some swimming, if it's warm enough) and then fireworks tonight!

Look Mom, No Teeth!

Yesterday on the way home from visiting family, we stopped to pick strawberries. It was the first time the kids had picked strawberries, and the first time that I had gone since I was a kid. We had an absolutely perfect day for picking. Mid 70's, sunny and enough wind to keep the bugs away.Aidan was a champ and quickly filled up 2 quart baskets. Between the 3 of us we picked over 8 pounds in just 30 minutes or so! Olivia and I snuck a couple berries while picking, but Aidan insisted that we needed to wash them first. (Maybe that's why he picked more than we did!)
Here's the fruits of our labor and some quick highlights from our little adventure...















In other exciting news...
In the last 24 hours my boy went from looking like this:














To looking like this:


Last night he lost his left one while brushing his teeth... and by 6am the other one had come out too.

That tooth fairy is sure gonna have a busy night, tonight!

Teacher Thank You's...End of the School Year

Friday is the last day of school for Aidan, so I spent the morning crafting and getting some year-end thank you's ready. I repurposed an empty chai container to make this little basket. I think an empty coffee can would work well too.






Here's some of the cards that I did for the teachers & aides in Aidan's classroom:





Although I am looking forward to a more relaxed schedule(i.e. sleeping in from time-to-time), I am a little worried about having two kiddies home all day long. Olivia has really gotten used to being the "only child" during the day. I think it will be a bit of an adjustment when Aidan's home too.
Right now I'm trying to get some more plans made for the summer. There's always so many things I want to try and do, it just doesn't seem like they end up happening.
More on that later...

Viva Las Vegas

A few quick highlights from our trip to Las Vegas (May 31-June 3)




Fremont Street:
Old-School Casinos
Dancing girls
99cent margaritas
chili fries (YUM!)




"The Strip":
Visiting the hotels/casinos
Bellagio fountains
Cirque du Soleil "O"
Buffet with Crablegs & Sushi
99cent margaritas